(WWL.com)
Several Romanians have been arrested in Livingston Parish after allegedly being in the country illegally, and running a “skimming” scam targeting gas stations along the I-12 corridor. Sheriff Jason Ard says the scam can deprive targets up to to 2,000 dollars after the perpetrators “clone” your credit card…
“You go to the gas pump, you get gas, you put your credit card in, and this device actually pulls all of your information off of your credit card.”
191 counterfeit credit cards were allegedly discovered in their car, along with 4,000 dollars in cash.
Four adults have been arrested, and three juveniles are being held as a result of the bust. Ard says they tracked the suspects with the help of the Secret Service, who’s cracking down on nationwide skimming operations.
“This isn’t a Livingston Parish issue, this is a nationwide issue, this is going on all over our country. So, it’s important to work these cases, and it’s going to be a lot bigger than what you have seen that we have released.”
The arrests were made on the 11th.
Ard says they targeted the I-12 because of easy in and out access to popular gas stations along the heavily trafficked route. The Sheriff says it can be tough to prevent skimming, so always keep an eye on your money.
“Always keep an eye on your account. A lot of people nowadays get really busy, and we don’t really have time to look at our account, but there’s now new devices (and apps) where you can be alerted every-time something is drawn out of your account.”